Patient's question:
My child is 4 years old this year. Recently, I've noticed that he rarely goes to the toilet for a bowel movement, and his stomach is also a bit bloated. I'm very worried. Could you please tell me: what are the dangers of a child holding back a bowel movement?Doctor's answer:
Habit of defecating when having the urge or delaying it can lead to constipation. Long-term constipation, where excessive force is used during defecation, causes the anal canal mucosa to protrude outward, leading to poor venous return, and over time, this can develop into hemorrhoids. When feces scratch the anal canal, it can form ulcers and wounds, resulting in anal fissures. Constipation harms our liver function. When feces accumulate in the intestines for a long time, toxic substances are reabsorbed into the liver, which acts as a detoxification organ, putting severe strain on it. Over time, this can damage liver function.